15 Holiday Traditions Scott McGillivray Never Misses

October 18, 2017Scott McGillivray

I’ve always been a sucker for tradition, and there’s no better time to celebrate traditions than around the holidays. The players may have changed a little over the years, but my family’s holiday game is strong. Here are the 15 holiday traditions I've been waiting for all year long!

15 Holiday Traditions Scott McGillivray Never Misses

October 18, 2017 Scott McGillivray

I’ve always been a sucker for tradition, and there’s no better time to celebrate traditions than around the holidays. The players may have changed a little over the years, but my family’s holiday game is strong. Here are the 15 holiday traditions I've been waiting for all year long!

Cutting Down the Christmas Tree

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Cutting Down the Christmas Tree

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Cutting down the tree has been a tradition for me since I was 12 years old. I used to do it with my parents and siblings and now I do it with my wife and daughters. It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season and the kids really love it.

Cutting Down the Christmas Tree

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Cutting down the tree has been a tradition for me since I was 12 years old. I used to do it with my parents and siblings and now I do it with my wife and daughters. It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season and the kids really love it.

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

The Santa Claus Parade

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The Santa Claus Parade

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

I don’t know why standing out in the freezing cold watching floats go by became such a tradition, but it did! Every year we bundle up the girls, pack up some hot chocolate and stand out in the cold to watch the parade. We freeze our butts off but it’s worth it to see how much the kids enjoy it.

The Santa Claus Parade

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I don’t know why standing out in the freezing cold watching floats go by became such a tradition, but it did! Every year we bundle up the girls, pack up some hot chocolate and stand out in the cold to watch the parade. We freeze our butts off but it’s worth it to see how much the kids enjoy it.

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Office Shenanigans

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Office Shenanigans

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Photo Credit: Skit Inc.

We work hard, but we also play hard, and I can always count on my team to keep things festive! Whether it’s on set or in the office, we always find the time to let loose and celebrate.

Family Photos with Santa

Sure, you have to stand in line at the mall for hours, but getting a family photo with Santa is just something we McGillivrays have to do – even if the kids don’t always seem that into it…

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Taking In the Holiday Decorations

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Taking In the Holiday Decorations

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Travelling for work right before Christmas isn’t my favourite thing, but it’s kind of become a tradition. On the plus side, I get to see sights like this. This giant tree was in the lobby of the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui. I think it’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen indoors.

Taking In the Holiday Decorations

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Travelling for work right before Christmas isn’t my favourite thing, but it’s kind of become a tradition. On the plus side, I get to see sights like this. This giant tree was in the lobby of the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui. I think it’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen indoors.

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Making DIY Holiday Decorations

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Making DIY Holiday Decorations

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

When I was about 12 years old, I started making these reindeer for our neighbours at the cottage. It’s what first got me interested in carpentry. I still like to bring them out and put them on the lawn at Christmas. I wonder if all the old neighbours still have theirs?

Making DIY Holiday Decorations

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When I was about 12 years old, I started making these reindeer for our neighbours at the cottage. It’s what first got me interested in carpentry. I still like to bring them out and put them on the lawn at Christmas. I wonder if all the old neighbours still have theirs?

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Visiting with the Big Guy

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Visiting with the Big Guy

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

The first time we took the girls to meet Santa Claus, Layla was afraid of him, but last year Santa was a little afraid of Layla! But come on, how cute does she look in that great big chair?

Visiting with the Big Guy

The first time we took the girls to meet Santa Claus, Layla was afraid of him, but last year Santa was a little afraid of Layla! But come on, how cute does she look in that great big chair?

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Decorating the Tree

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Decorating the Tree

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

If you have young kids you know how it is having tons of decorations on the bottom half of the tree and not so many on the top. I let Myah go as far as the second rung of the step ladder, and after she went to bed, Mom and Dad made a few subtle adjustments.

Decorating the Tree

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If you have young kids you know how it is having tons of decorations on the bottom half of the tree and not so many on the top. I let Myah go as far as the second rung of the step ladder, and after she went to bed, Mom and Dad made a few subtle adjustments.

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Getting All Dressed Up

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Getting All Dressed Up

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

One of the really fun things about the holiday season is getting all dolled up for parties. I spend a lot of my days on renovation sites, and Sabrina spends her's in a kindergarten classroom, so getting dressed up for a night on the town is always a welcome change.

Getting All Dressed Up

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One of the really fun things about the holiday season is getting all dolled up for parties. I spend a lot of my days on renovation sites, and Sabrina spends her's in a kindergarten classroom, so getting dressed up for a night on the town is always a welcome change.

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Feeding Santa and the Reindeer

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Feeding Santa and the Reindeer

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Some things never get old. Milk, cookies and carrots for our Christmas Eve visitors. #Classic

Feeding Santa and the Reindeer

Some things never get old. Milk, cookies and carrots for our Christmas Eve visitors. #Classic

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Opening Presents

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Opening Presents

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivrays

When I was a kid I thought there was nothing better than opening presents. Now that I’m an adult I know that giving is far better than receiving, and watching my girls open their gifts on Christmas morning couldn’t be more fun. While we try to keep our kids grounded and grateful for everything they have, it’s the one time of year we forget all the rules and just enjoy the excitement and magic through our kids’ eyes.

Opening Presents

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When I was a kid I thought there was nothing better than opening presents. Now that I’m an adult I know that giving is far better than receiving, and watching my girls open their gifts on Christmas morning couldn’t be more fun. While we try to keep our kids grounded and grateful for everything they have, it’s the one time of year we forget all the rules and just enjoy the excitement and magic through our kids’ eyes.

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivrays

Escaping the Cold

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Escaping the Cold

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Every year as soon as Christmas is over we head down to our house in Florida for a little "R & R." There’s nothing better than leaving a snowy airport and just a few hours later landing in the sunshine. Hopping into the pool with the kids is always first on the to-do list.

Escaping the Cold

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Every year as soon as Christmas is over we head down to our house in Florida for a little "R & R." There’s nothing better than leaving a snowy airport and just a few hours later landing in the sunshine. Hopping into the pool with the kids is always first on the to-do list.

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Celebrating New Year's with the Kids

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Celebrating New Year's with the Kids

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

On New Year’s Eve I like to make sure that all the McGillivrays have a great time – not just the ones who are legal age. We get out the noisemakers and the hats nice and early and make sure the girls get to take part in the festivities.

Celebrating New Year's with the Kids

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On New Year’s Eve I like to make sure that all the McGillivrays have a great time – not just the ones who are legal age. We get out the noisemakers and the hats nice and early and make sure the girls get to take part in the festivities.

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Celebrating New Year's with the Adults

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Celebrating New Year's with the Adults

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

After the kids have gone to bed, the real party starts! Sabrina and I love having our close friends and family to the house for an all out New Year’s bash. We hang out in the hot tub, make a little noise and have a blast. There’s no better way to set the tone for the year ahead!

Celebrating New Year's with the Adults

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After the kids have gone to bed, the real party starts! Sabrina and I love having our close friends and family to the house for an all out New Year’s bash. We hang out in the hot tub, make a little noise and have a blast. There’s no better way to set the tone for the year ahead!

Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

Spending Time with Family

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Spending Time with Family

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Photo Credit: Scott McGillivray

The one tradition that outweighs all the others is just spending time with the whole family. My brother and sister and I have always been close, and seeing our kids play together is the best gift any of us could ever get.

Spending Time with Family

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The one tradition that outweighs all the others is just spending time with the whole family. My brother and sister and I have always been close, and seeing our kids play together is the best gift any of us could ever get.